Geldards secures damages following negligent hip replacement

Rachel Kirby, Senior Associate, in our Medical Negligence team secured damages of £120,000 on behalf of our client.

Our client underwent a total left hip replacement in May 2014 at Royal United Hospital (RUH) in Bath. She subsequently fell six weeks later and sustained a periprosthetic fracture to the calcar, together with movement of the acetabular component. She required revision surgery at RUH which took place in July 2014.

Our client experienced a number of further falls following the revision of her left hip replacement which resulted in her left hip dislocating and requiring hospital admissions in order to “pop” the hip back into the socket, this being a very painful procedure.

She suffered ongoing pain and severely affected mobility.

We were instructed by our client and promptly served a Letter of Claim against Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust. We alleged that RUH failed to perform the initial hip replacement surgery to an adequate standard. The acetabular component was significantly oversized and proud of the acetabular cup.

We further alleged that RUH failed to perform the revision surgery to an adequate standard. There was no attempt to correct the oversized acetabular component.

Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust admitted that the revision surgery was performed negligently but disputed the level of harm caused and the value of our client’s claim. In an attempt to avoid the costs and delays involved in proceedings, we suggested mediation, a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution.

At the mediation meeting settlement of the Claimant’s damages claim was reached in the sum of £120,000.00.

Are you worried about medical care/treatment received by you or a family member? If so, we offer a free initial consultation. Call us on 02920 391773 or contact Linda Williams at linda.williams@geldards.com.

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